Another summer of discontent in Chicago

May 02, 2012|Reuters

--RW/LW Andrew Shaw may have earned himself a spot on next year's team with an unexpected performance this season as a rookie. Shaw had 12 goals and 23 points in 37 games and even played on both special teams. He provided the physical edge the Hawks were lacking when LW Daniel Carcillo was lost with a torn ACL. He also fit in well in the locker room.

--LW Andrew Brunette had his least productive campaign since the 1997-98 season. The savvy veteran had 12 just goals and 27 points. He had 23 points for the Capitals in 1997-98. Brunette struggled to keep up with the younger, faster Hawks on the top two lines and was also hindered by a foot injury. The four games he missed this season, including three with a right foot injury, are the most he has missed in the past 10 seasons. Brunette, 38, said he still hasn't decided whether he will play next season.

MEDICAL WATCH:

--RW Marian Hossa (concussion) is expected to be ready for training camp after suffering a concussion when he was checked in the head by Coyotes forward Raffi Torres in the playoffs. Hossa played in 81 regular-season games, his most since playing in all 82 for the Thrashers in 2006-07. His 77 points this year were also the most since that season.

--D Steve Montador (concussion) missed 27 games with a concussion. The hope is that he'll be ready for training camp. Montador spent most of his time as the No. 5 defenseman. He had five goals and 14 points and even gave the power play an unexpected boost at one point.

--LW Daniel Carcillo (torn ACL) missed 35 games after tearing his ACL. He still did enough in his time, though, to get a two-year extension from the Hawks. He's on track with his recovery. He had two goals, 11 points and a plus-10 rating in 28 games this season.